The Original Interstate?

[85MH325]

https://www.mecum.com/lots/CH1019-38...r1Dz5uZCBtSNhc

[wachuko]

Can you imagine how cool that would look restored!!

[Hawk-ination]

😳 Wow!

[85MH325]

Originally Posted by wachuko

Can you imagine how cool that would look restored!!

I know, right???

[InterBlog]

This would be a good block of chat for The ultimate Interstate off-topic thread, rather than its own thread.

Circa 1977, the Mercedes T1, precursor to the T1N shown below it, which was, in turn, precursor to the NCV3.

[85MH325]

There was a late '70s or early '80s T1 factory conversion for sale on RV Trader in San Diego or LA a year or so ago. It was really nicely done. I wish now I'd saved photos.

[85MH325]

https://www.reezocar.com/en/voiture-...747C4CEE4.html

[martin300662]

The T1 camper conversions are still quite common in Europe, with reasonable examples available for $5-10K and once over 25 eligible for import into US.

But why stop there, there are even examples of its predecessor (the Harburg Transporter) that date back to almost the same era as the Argosy MH/VW Type II if you are looking for an old Mercedes camper.

[85MH325]

Originally Posted by martin300662

The T1 camper conversions are still quite common in Europe, with reasonable examples available for $5-10K and once over 25 eligible for import into US.

But why stop there, there are even examples of its predecessor (the Harburg Transporter) that date back to almost the same era as the Argosy MH/VW Type II if you are looking for an old Mercedes camper.

I miss my '85 325. Were that it had an island queen rather than a cramped side-corner double bed, I'd likely still have it.

I love old vans and motorhomes, not that I'd ever want one having had them when they were current... the new offerings are much more comfortable; but that said, the old coaches evoke the warm memories and feelings of a time period for me more than a desire to own a classic.

There is a restored late '60s VW Transporter for sale just a few miles from where I live. They're pretty rare here. I love looking at it as I drive past. I wouldn't want to own it.

[martin300662]

Personally I would put my totally built 20ft Argosy up against any Interstate/modern camper in terms of comfort and facilities.

So far I have had 3 Interstate owners who have walked inside and offered their keys in exchange....trouble is it has cost about 30% more than a new Interstate so I have politely declined.

If you have a classic rebuilt you can at least have your choice of layout and furniture/services rather than whatever Airstream has managed to buy in bulk!

[85MH325]

Originally Posted by martin300662

Personally I would put my totally built 20ft Argosy up against any Interstate/modern camper in terms of comfort and facilities.

So far I have had 3 Interstate owners who have walked inside and offered their keys in exchange....trouble is it has cost about 30% more than a new Interstate so I have politely declined.

If you have a classic rebuilt you can at least have your choice of layout and furniture/services rather than whatever Airstream has managed to buy in bulk!

Well, and that's just the thing. You're still stuck with an old P-30 chassis, a 454, window glass and seals that are impossible to find, and a forty year old airframe. There's something to be said about the progress made in suspension and handling, and being able to easily find repair parts.

You can see how many Airstreams I've had in my signature. I gave up on Airstream monocoque years ago because I got tired of the maintenance. I buy motorhomes to travel in, not as a restoration hobby. I wouldn't buy a new Interstate because of their complexity. I am not a "luxury" buyer.

But, I confess that I DO like the body designs of yesteryear better.

[wachuko]

Originally Posted by martin300662

Personally I would put my totally built 20ft Argosy up against any Interstate/modern camper in terms of comfort and facilities.

So far I have had 3 Interstate owners who have walked inside and offered their keys in exchange....trouble is it has cost about 30% more than a new Interstate so I have politely declined.

If you have a classic rebuilt you can at least have your choice of layout and furniture/services rather than whatever Airstream has managed to buy in bulk!

That was a beautiful labor of love. So happy to have come acrossed this post and your build thread.






Looks amazing after the paint job done!








And here is the link to the build thread:


http://www.airforums.com/forums/f310...ad-125552.html

[85MH325]

Originally Posted by wachuko

That was a beautiful labor of love. So happy to have come acrossed this post and your build thread.


And here is the link to the build thread:


http://www.airforums.com/forums/f310...ad-125552.html

Wow... that's a gorgeous old Argosy! Well done! I can see why you have so much invested! And it shows!

Wachuko, thanks for posting this!

[Hawk-ination]

Very impressive resto

Did the original sell at auction yet and anyone see what it brought?

[85MH325]

Originally Posted by Hawk-ination

Very impressive resto

Did the original sell at auction yet and anyone see what it brought?

$60k

https://www.classic.com/a/mecum-chic...rhome-peq6krp/

[InterBlog]

When I saw those Argosy photos above, initially I thought it was a GMC motorhome. We looked at two of those before buying our Interstate, but I was put off by the relatively flimsy frame. I didn’t think that there would be much chance of surviving a crash in one of them. But the cool factor was off the charts.

[martin300662]

Originally Posted by InterBlog

When I saw those Argosy photos above, initially I thought it was a GMC motorhome. We looked at two of those before buying our Interstate, but I was put off by the relatively flimsy frame. I didn’t think that there would be much chance of surviving a crash in one of them. But the cool factor was off the charts.

The GMC are fiberglass 'shells', but the Argosy (and Airstream classic) motorhomes are the same construction as the trailers.

This is our second 20ft motorhome which is polished rather than repainted.



http://www.airforums.com/forums/f310...on-148273.html

[85MH325]

Originally Posted by martin300662

The GMC are fiberglass 'shells', but the Argosy (and Airstream classic) motorhomes are the same construction as the trailers.

This is our second 20ft motorhome which is polished rather than repainted.

Attachment 356344

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f310...on-148273.html

There's not much chance of surviving a crash in an Argosy or Airstream motorhome either. There's no structure between you and the back of that truck you're going to run into when you can't stop in time. I had an '85 325 for several years. I loved it, but they don't have the same kind of structure one finds in a contemporary B-Van. They'll likely do better than an average Class A in a rollover, but any kind of frontal or side impact, the passengers are likely toast.

[martin300662]

Originally Posted by 85MH325

There's not much chance of surviving a crash in an Argosy or Airstream motorhome either. There's no structure between you and the back of that truck you're going to run into when you can't stop in time. I had an '85 325 for several years. I loved it, but they don't have the same kind of structure one finds in a contemporary B-Van. They'll likely do better than an average Class A in a rollover, but any kind of frontal or side impact, the passengers are likely toast.

Same can be said for any vintage/classic car, heck the latest Jeep Wrangler has the lowest possible European NCAP rating simply because it's design is so antiquated.

[85MH325]

Originally Posted by martin300662

Same can be said for any vintage/classic car, heck the latest Jeep Wrangler has the lowest possible European NCAP rating simply because it's design is so antiquated.

I had to look that up. That's abysmal! The 2018 JL didn't even score as well as the '16 JKU in the NHTSC testing. I'm a little shocked, frankly.

On the other hand, my first "car" was a 1950 Ford F-1 pickup. It had a four-speed granny-gear trans, a single vacuum windshield wiper on the driver side, a single sun visor, an outside lock on the passenger side, and no radio.

My Wrangler is a 6speed manual as well... and I don't really care much about the "safety" equipment. I do appreciate it's longer wheelbase and wider track than my '70s and '80s CJ's though.